I hadn’t photographed the festive cherubs in a few years and wanted to see how they looked amongst the azaleas.
The cherubs’ view:
A sprinkling of azaleas were in bloom behind and off to the sides of the statue.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 27, 2026
Years ago Ted called this statue “Freaky Babies” so of course that is what I think every time I pass it. He a nice B&W version from a visit in February 2021 which in a post he aptly named Freaky Babies.Â
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 27, 2026
I hadn’t been thinking of tulips when we went to Magnolia Plantation yesterday in search of flowers, then rounded a corner to this!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 19, 2026
I frequently see an Anhinga drying off in this tree that hangs over one of the ponds they hunt at Magnolia Plantation.
Today this male was nicely lit by the sun, with swaying Spanish Moss completing the scene.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 19, 2026
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 25, 2026
The Tricolored Herons had not started building nests yet but there were a few hanging around the boardwalk area.
You don’t often get to see one from above: I was on the boardwalk and the heron was standing in a shallow pool.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 25, 2026
A Roseate Spoonbill started what looked like a perfect landing in a palm tree.
Landing gear out…
…ready to nail the landing!
Something wasn’t to his liking at the top of the palm…
and almost immediately he went back the way he came.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
We went to Florida last week for a few days, first stop the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. This pool is at edge of the larger alligator area and the clean water flowing in provides a good spot for bathing.
There also is a nice covering of trees on this side, providing some shelter from what has been really cold weather for Florida.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 24, 2026
I had assumed these were all Yellow-bellied Sliders but maybe the two on the left in this first image are not–there wasn’t a bit of yellow to be seen.
Research tells me there is some variation, and also some interbreeding with other species.
This was a cooler day, I had gloves on, and I was surprised to see them out at all.
The Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner, SC
December 4, 2025
